Jack Rodwell | Sold to City

amolbhatia100 said:
My guess is has sufficient but not brilliant technical abilities but great physical attributes for his age?
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Well, its not mouth watering like the other prospects lets say for an example, Pastore...

But Rodwell does have a superb touch and he does gets pass players from time to time.

It's not perfected yet and he's only 20... He's not the penetrating type or the Schole's replacement in anyway though.
 
Amir said:
Sounds a lot like the sort of attributes that got Fergie to pull out all stops in order to get a lad by the name of Roy Keane once.
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Didn't Moyes say he needs to 'man up' or something of that sort recently?

Doesn't sound like something you need to say to a young Roy Keane.
 
I'd rather we got a more creative midfielder but I'd definitely take Rodwell over Henderson.
 
amolbhatia100 said:
Didn't Moyes say he needs to 'man up' or something of that sort recently?

Doesn't sound like something you need to say to a young Roy Keane.
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No two players are carbon copies, and when you sign a young player you always expect him to improve some abilties. Keane wrote in his book that after a while at United, senior players told him he needs to take more responsibility of the ball, collect it from the defenders and run our game, start attacks, etc. He did.

Rodwell isn't Keane, of course not, but Fergie loves players with a huge engine - Keane, Veron - and we can probably use one as we've lost Hargreaves. Like I previously said, if we can only afford one signing in midfield (goalkeeper is obviously needed), it shouldn't be Rodwell. But if we've got the money for more, he can be a great investment, though I wouldn't pay 25m straight for him. More like half with plenty of clauses.
 
Brwned said:
Technically very well-rounded and gifted but he's still a bit raw, and he's unlikely to be a creative force that people are looking for from our midfield.
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No, definitely not but he may allow the likes of Anderson and Carrick to play slightly more advanced.
 
I don't think we need Carrick in an advance role though, he doesn't have the ability to dribble the ball with him in tight spots so playing him deep will allow him to utilize his long lost passing instincts which she showed during his three seasons...

Rodwell would give Carrick/Fletch more competition... He's the defensive type one who tends to push high upwards, for example the first leg in the FA vs Chelsea, he was almost playing behind the striker ( can't remember if it was Saha or Beckford ) should have been Saha, but he was getting into very good attacking positions ( Usually fluffed the final ball though ) but I liked the way he drove up there and gave Everton Penetration.

He'd certainly be a player who would be bought for the future, I don't expect immediate results, I don't think the fee will be 25m either as that is a bit too steep for someone who is getting injured almost every month, he's certainly a good prospect...
 
stand_free said:
No, definitely not but he may allow the likes of Anderson and Carrick to play slightly more advanced.
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Carrick is not really capable of playing very advanced. It might allow him to express himself more freely but he isn't going to bomb forward or control and dictate the game. Carrick is best at holding his position, intercepting attacks and keeping things ticking
 
RedThaiDevils#7 said:
I don't think we need Carrick in an advance role though, he doesn't have the ability to dribble the ball with him in tight spots so playing him deep will allow him to utilize his long lost passing instincts which she showed during his three seasons...

Rodwell would give Carrick/Fletch more competition... He's the defensive type one who tends to push high upwards, for example the first leg in the FA vs Chelsea, he was almost playing behind the striker ( can't remember if it was Saha or Beckford ) should have been Saha, but he was getting into very good attacking positions ( Usually fluffed the final ball though ) but I liked the way he drove up there and gave Everton Penetration.

He'd certainly be a player who would be bought for the future, I don't expect immediate results, I don't think the fee will be 25m either as that is a bit too steep for someone who is getting injured almost every month, he's certainly a good prospect...
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I agree, I don't even think we yet have a definitive analysis of which position would ultimately suit him best. Of course everyone knows of his defensive qualities because in his limited appearances for Everton, (considering Arteta and Cahill occupy positions more advanced) that is predominantly where he has been most needed. However, on occasion he has shown glimpses that may indicate we have only scratched the surface regarding the type of player he could eventually become.

I do see some similarities with a young Keane regarding athleticism and maturity, if not yet in mentality. Rodwell still has it all to prove therefore would present a risk, but he undoubtedly has massive potential and i for one think it would be a risk worth taking.
 
apotheosis said:
I agree, I don't even think we yet have a definitive analysis of which position would ultimately suit him best. Of course everyone knows of his defensive qualities because in his limited appearances for Everton, (considering Arteta and Cahill occupy positions more advanced) that is predominantly where he has been most needed. However, on occasion he has shown glimpses that may indicate we have only scratched the surface regarding the type of player he could eventually become.

I do see some similarities with a young Keane regarding athleticism and maturity, if not yet in mentality. Rodwell still has it all to prove therefore would present a risk, but he undoubtedly has massive potential and i for one think it would be a risk worth taking.
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Agree, he will fulfill his potential if he stays fit which is my only concern about buying him.
 
Amir said:
Rodwell isn't Keane, of course not, but Fergie loves players with a huge engine - Keane, Veron - and we can probably use one as we've lost Hargreaves. Like I previously said, if we can only afford one signing in midfield (goalkeeper is obviously needed), it shouldn't be Rodwell. But if we've got the money for more, he can be a great investment, though I wouldn't pay 25m straight for him. More like half with plenty of clauses.
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That's the first I've ever seen Veron and engine in the same sentence.
 
Veron was an unbelievable player, and had a great engine. He was competing for a place against Scholes, and there was only ever going to be one winner.
 
I think he was bought in for Europe (which is were he played his best stuff) and to provide stiff competition in midfield, not to replace Scholes.
 
I think we bought him because he was the best player at that current moment, it was simple.

He just didn't adapt the the pace and power of the PL like we'd thought he would... Nevertheless he still was a great technical player and I would have relished to have seen him with us for 1 more season... He shouldn't have moved to Chelsea after such a superb preseason at that time.
 
RedThaiDevils#7 said:
I think we bought him because he was the best player at that current moment, it was simple.

He just didn't adapt the the pace and power of the PL like we'd thought he would... Nevertheless he still was a great technical player and I would have relished to have seen him with us for 1 more season... He shouldn't have moved to Chelsea after such a superb preseason at that time.
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Fergie thought he could do a better job than Scholes in midfield and I suppose it was a fair call as Veron was probably the top creative midfielder in europe at the time but it proved to be a mistake and Scholesy went on to become a legend at Man Utd and Veron's career nosedived.Shame realy as I was so excited about Veron joining.Just goes to prove that nothing is a cert in football,I think this shaped Fergies thinking re. the transfer market and pushed him towards emerging talent rather than superstars.
 
Cheltenham Red said:
Fergie thought he could do a better job than Scholes in midfield and I suppose it was a fair call as Veron was probably the top creative midfielder in europe at the time but it proved to be a mistake and Scholesy went on to become a legend at Man Utd and Veron's career nosedived.Shame realy as I was so excited about Veron joining.Just goes to prove that nothing is a cert in football,I think this shaped Fergies thinking re. the transfer market and pushed him towards emerging talent rather than superstars.
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Don't think so, we were a whisker from signing Ronaldinho the summer Veron + Beckham left
 
If by a million years, you mean THIS close

this_close_man.jpg
 
Veron was signed as tactics on the continent had changed and thus United's four man midfield was being controlled. Veron was supposed to give United that extra cutting edge in midfield and Scholes was going to be used more as an attacking midfielder or withdrawn forward, linking the midfield.

I believe Nedved was also on the radar but SAF and the club felt his transfer fee was excessive and his addition would have meant Scholes remains in midfield versus further forward. Scholes was a liability in those days as he often left gaping holes in the midfield.

Personally, in retrospect, I think the player SAF should have signed was Davids.
 
MrMarcello said:
Veron was signed as tactics on the continent had changed and thus United's four man midfield was being controlled. Veron was supposed to give United that extra cutting edge in midfield and Scholes was going to be used more as an attacking midfielder or withdrawn forward, linking the midfield.

I believe Nedved was also on the radar but SAF and the club felt his transfer fee was excessive and his addition would have meant Scholes remains in midfield versus further forward. Scholes was a liability in those days as he often left gaping holes in the midfield.

Personally, in retrospect, I think the player SAF should have signed was Davids.
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Yup, he and Ruud were supposed to bring us european domination. Can see the logic behind it, just didn't work out. Did play a couple of blinders I seem to remember, just not enough. 10 years ago now :eek:
 
MrMarcello said:
Veron was signed as tactics on the continent had changed and thus United's four man midfield was being controlled. Veron was supposed to give United that extra cutting edge in midfield and Scholes was going to be used more as an attacking midfielder or withdrawn forward, linking the midfield.

I believe Nedved was also on the radar but SAF and the club felt his transfer fee was excessive and his addition would have meant Scholes remains in midfield versus further forward. Scholes was a liability in those days as he often left gaping holes in the midfield.

Personally, in retrospect, I think the player SAF should have signed was Davids.
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We should have pulled out all stops to get Zidane if we are going back in retrospect
 
RE: Veron. I have said it a million times (to friends) since 2005. He would of loved playing in the 4-3-3. Him Scholes and Carrick in 06/07 with Rooney, Ronaldo and Saha as the front 3 ? That could of been lethal.
 
Yeah I wish we would have kept him he could have been useful, United were quite lightweight in midfield after he and Beckham left
 
I think Rodwell is a good talented player who could one day possibly be a top player. However I still don't get the hype surrounding him and why so many are absolutely desperate that we spunk a lot of cash on him.

He isn't a dead cert to be a great like say Rooney was when we spent a lot of money on him.

I'd rather we spend money on an experienced midfielder who has played regular first team football and will straight away slot into our first team.
 
Ole's_toe_poke said:
I think Rodwell is a good talented player who could one day possibly be a top player. However I still don't get the hype surrounding him and why so many are absolutely desperate that we spunk a lot of cash on him.

He isn't a dead cert to be a great like say Rooney was when we spent a lot of money on him.

I'd rather we spend money on an experienced midfielder who has played regular first team football and will straight away slot into our first team.
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There is no valid reason anyone on here can give as to why we can't spend on a young potentially great player like Rodwell and a more experienced player or 2 for the first 11 proper.

That is what we did the last time we rebuilt our midfield. I don't see why it should be a case of either, or.
 
Cheltenham Red said:
Fergie bought Veron to replace scholes and pushed him up front to partner Ruud which failed,he then realised Scholesy was the better player.
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He never ever brought him to replace Scholes. He bought him to put Scholes in his most natural role. The Bergkamp role behind a striker. So that we could have 3 playmakers in the team (Keane, Veron deep, Scholes just ahead) so we could have total midfield control in Europe.

SAF only abandoned the project when it failed to win us the champions league in 2003.
 
Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber said:
There is no valid reason anyone on here can give as to why we can't spend on a young potentially great player like Rodwell and a more experienced player or 2 for the first 11 proper.

That is what we did the last time we rebuilt our midfield. I don't see why it should be a case of either, or.
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I could see that happening, Rodwell and at least one more experienced creative midfielder.
SAF always seems to create an even age spread throughout the squad, that balance between experienced winners and youthful vigor.
Rodwell would be a more a long term investment, he has the potential to become a really great midfielder imo, and is already a strong, mature character.

Steven Defour would be another good addition, he has a good blend of subtle passing and hustle, and is turning 23 so an age SAF likes.

But Gotze of Dortmund is one that really impresses, he's young, but he is a midfielder that can really penetrate defenses. He's got good vision, range of passing and shooting, he seems to play wide mostly but he's got the smarts to play centrally, and with his pace threatening through the center; he's very dangerous.

Anyway, back to Rodwell, he'd be a very, very good investment in the future.
 
Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber said:
He never ever brought him to replace Scholes. He bought him to put Scholes in his most natural role. The Bergkamp role behind a striker. So that we could have 3 playmakers in the team (Keane, Veron deep, Scholes just ahead) so we could have total midfield control in Europe.

SAF only abandoned the project when it failed to win us the champions league in 2003.
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When I said replace Scholes I meant replace him in his position in midfield,it turned out that Fergie was wrong and Scholes turned out to be the better midfielder of the 2 so it was a mistake by fergie.

Not sure how you can say that the Berkamp role was the most natural for Scholes as he was rubbish there and his career stalled for a while after he was played there,Scholes best position was and has always been in midfield.
 
He was not rubbish in the Bergkamp position - he was excellent! Some United fans have short memories.
 
sincher said:
He was not rubbish in the Bergkamp position - he was excellent! Some United fans have short memories.
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No we have different opinions,the games I saw him play there he didn't do that well and seemed much more comfortable in midfield.Rubbish is probably too strong a word but he was not a sucess in the role that is certain.
 
Stobzilla said:
RE: Veron. I have said it a million times (to friends) since 2005. He would of loved playing in the 4-3-3. Him Scholes and Carrick in 06/07 with Rooney, Ronaldo and Saha as the front 3 ? That could of been lethal.
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Veron gets a lot of stick but he was a great player. Never suited a 4-4-2 and was a player who you need to build your team around rather than ask to fill a specific tactical role.

Despite being a square peg wedged into a round hole most of the time he was still quaility for United on occaision, especially in Europe.

Pretty much exactly the sort of player we could do with now actually - although perhaps not best suited to the style of play in the PL at the time.
 
Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber said:
He never ever brought him to replace Scholes. He bought him to put Scholes in his most natural role. The Bergkamp role behind a striker. So that we could have 3 playmakers in the team (Keane, Veron deep, Scholes just ahead) so we could have total midfield control in Europe.

SAF only abandoned the project when it failed to win us the champions league in 2003.
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Which wasn't the midfield's fault - it was the comical defending and erratic keeping.
 
Cheltenham Red said:
When I said replace Scholes I meant replace him in his position in midfield,it turned out that Fergie was wrong and Scholes turned out to be the better midfielder of the 2 so it was a mistake by fergie.
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SAF was never wrong. Scholes's best United season to date came with him operating permanently in the Bergkamp role in 2003. A role he was built for going by how he used to operate alongside the super man that was Roy Keane

Had did not been for our shit defence and weird keepers that system would have got us 2 champions league trophies. We used to control teams in Europe with such ease in midfield with Veron, Keane and Scholes.

Cheltenham Red said:
Not sure how you can say that the Berkamp role was the most natural for Scholes as he was rubbish there and his career stalled for a while after he was played there,....
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That is not true at all. He had one bad season in that role. The season in which Veron arrived. After that he was more awesome than he had ever been in the Bergkamp role. It's in fact when he returned to center midfield after SAF sold Veron that his career stalled and he had 2 stale seasons until his return from the eye problem at the start of the 2006/2007 season.

Cheltenham Red said:
Scholes best position was and has always been in midfield.
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No. Scholes has always been equally comfortable in the hole.
 
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